THE COMMON HARD FERN, 
to the eaudex; and, as well as the rachis, channelled in front, rounded 
т dark 
brown; terminal and adheren 
stipes, of from five to ten inches 
and prominent behind, The fertile fronds have 
long, and the rachis is more distinetly purp 
Vernation eireinate 
y from six to eighteen inches in length, 
Fronds (the barren ones) averaging about a foot, but varyı 
опе or two inches in breadth, dark green, spreading or pro lincar lanceolate, pectinately-pinnatifd 
tion, diminishing below; the 
Lobes linear oblong, flat, somewhat faleately curved in an upward din 
nd contiguous at their 
ower ones, small, roundish, the u into a lanceolate point, dilated a 
тег contiue 
base, bluntish or acute at their apex, the margins entire, or rarely, when very vigorous, obscurely lobed 
Fertile fronds of the same form, taller,—one to two fect high—erect, pinnate below, growing from the 
centre of the erown, Pinna and segments lincar acute, contracted to about half the width of the barren 
at the 
segments, the lower ones distant, the upper more contiguous, and then dilated and conflu 
base. Intermediate fronds, sparingly fertile and not contracted, are sometimes produced. 
Venation of the barren fronds distinct, that of the lobes consisting of a stout midvein, producing 
in a small transparent club-shaped 
‘once or twiee-forked reins, the venules terminating within the margi 
4| nature, and 
head. ‘The venation of the fertile fronds is altered in consequence of their contr 
consists of a series of veins, seldom having space to become forked, but becoming lost in the continuous 
nd very near to the midvein. In the 
mgitudinal sporangiferons receptacle which runs parallel with 
less contracted fertile fronds, the venules are continued towards the margin exterior to the receptacle. 
Fructification on the back of the fertile fronds and occupying nearly the whole under surface. Sort 
indusiate, linear, extending on each side the midrib, the whole length of the narrow pinnze, over which 
‚dusium n narrow linear 
they soon become confluent, Receptacle continuous, longitudinal ariose 
membrane attached along the exterior side of the receptacle, within the margin of the frond, but 
sometimes from, the excessive contraction of the pinnse almost marginal.  Sporo-cases nearly globose. 
Spores roundish oblong or ovate, slightly angular and punctate. 
Duration, The caudex is perennial, the plant is evergreen, the old fronds continuing through winter, 
and young ones springing up about Мау 
1 on that account, no lo 
"This than for its evergreen 
character, it desorves to bo more frequent 
a very elegant and distinet-looking Fern, 
y cultivated, Tts long narrow pectinately divided fronds, th 
barren and fertile growing separate, afford easy marks of recognition, 
nists as to the generic p 
‘There exists a difference of opinion among b sition of this plant, 
some referring it to Zomariz, while others retain it im Zlechnum. The differences between these 
genera are merely those of degree, both having continuous longitudinal sori; these in Zomaría aro 
margina sar the midvein. In this instance, the contraction of the frond 
and in Blechnum are placed n 
brings the otherwise costal sorus very near to the margin, but as there is usually, and often very 
distinctly, a space exterior to it, the plant seems to accord best with tho structure of Blechnum, in 
which we continuo to place it, notwithstanding the Zomaria-like contraction of the fertile fronds. 
In cultivation it prefers a northern exposure, abundant moisture, and a somewhat retentive soil 
Tt is a very ornamental plant for rockwork where these conditions can be fulfilled, but does not so well 
as others bear the confinement of pot or house culture, It is increased by division, In transplanting, 
the roots should be carefully preserved, with a good mass of вой. 
"There are many forms aberrant from the typo of the species ; these are enumerated below, chiefly 
in Mr. W 
laston's notes 
1. lanejfolium (W.). This is the least divided form of the species, bearin 
m 
Patersoni, and is perhaps the most striking of all the varieties. It is as if the plant was 
much resemblance to 
Lomaria P 
in process of formation. Generally the fronds are entire and strap-shaped, from the apex down- 
h, 
wands for one-third or even half their length, while the remainder is obtusely lobate or distantly 
